The Atlanta Dream forced a decisive Game 7 in the WNBA Finals by defeating the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 on Thursday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. With the series tied 3-3, both teams will play for their first WNBA championship when they meet in San Francisco on Saturday.
The Dream, facing elimination, responded with a strong offensive performance fueled by sharp shooting from Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. Gray scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, while Howard added 21 points with four made threes. Angel Reese contributed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Atlanta’s early offensive surge set the tone, as they built a commanding 32-15 lead after the first quarter and extended that advantage to 46-26 at halftime.
The Valkyries, who had won Games 4 and 5 largely on the strength of their defense and held a 3-2 series lead entering Game 6, struggled to contain the Dream’s offense in the opening quarter. Guard Veronica Burton described their defensive start as “unacceptable,” and coach Natalie Nakase expressed frustration that Golden State failed to match Atlanta’s intensity from the tipoff. Despite efforts to rally in the fourth quarter — cutting Atlanta’s lead to 77-66 with under two minutes left — the Valkyries could not fully overcome the deficit.
Golden State’s Gabby Williams led all scorers with 26 points, while Tiffany Hayes added 15. The Valkyries made 7 of 27 three-pointers in the game but were unable to sustain enough offensive pressure against the Dream’s defense. Atlanta’s defense also limited Golden State’s open looks, forcing turnovers and controlling rebounds late in the game.
The attendance for the game exceeded 17,000 despite an early 12:30 p.m. local tipoff, showcasing strong fan interest even on a weekday. Dream coach Karl Smesko credited his team for finding their offensive rhythm when it mattered most and emphasized the physicality and intensity expected in the Finals.
With the series now tied, the winner of Saturday’s Game 7 in San Francisco will claim the franchise’s first WNBA title, setting up a high-stakes conclusion between two teams striving to make history.